Convolute ground package of cylindrical objects

ABSTRACT

A package capable of holding up to 35 pounds and more of uranium pellets is constructed with a polyurethane strip having a thickness greater than the radius of the pellet and a large length-to-width ratio. The strip has on one of its surfaces a plurality of parallel grooves positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strip. Each of the grooves has a depth at least about the radius of the pellet and a width at the surface of the strip about the diameter of the pellet. The strip with the pellets is wound into a convolute package holding the pellets therein firmly between the adjacent layers of the convolution and by the sidewalls of the grooves pinched against the pellets.

United States Patent [7 21 Inventor James A. Rode St. Louis, Mo.

[21] Appl. No. 765,114

[22] Filed Oct. 4, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [7 3] Assignee UnitedNuclear Corporation Elmsford, N.Y.

[54] CONVOLUTE GROUND PACKAGE OF CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS 5 Claims, 2 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 206/65, 206/59, 250/106 [51] Int. Cl "865d 85/20, 865d85/30, B65d 85/66 [50] Field of Search 206/65, 65 F, 65 C, 78, 56 A, 17,46 F, 46 C, 46 M; 220/41; 21 N60; 250/106 S [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,903,139 9/1959 Penman V 206/78 UX PrimaryExaminerWilliam T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Jennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor& Adams ABSTRACT: A package capable of holding up to 35 pounds and moreof uranium pellets is constructed with a polyurethane strip having athickness greater than the radius of the pellet and a largelength-to-width ratio. The strip has on one of its surfaces a pluralityof parallel grooves positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe strip. Each of the grooves has a depth at least about the radius ofthe pellet and a width at the surface of the strip about the diameter ofthe pellet. The strip with the pellets is wound into a convolute packageholding the pellets therein firmly between the adjacent layers of theconvolution and by the sidewalls of the grooves pinched against thepellets.

PATENTEU JAN 4 i972 INVENTOR JAMES A. RODE ATTORNEYS CONVOLUTE GROUNDPACKAGE OF CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a package and more particularly to a package of uranium fuelpellets and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Uranium oxide pellets which are used as a fuelfor nuclear reactors are heavy and relatively fragile. Transportingthese pellets requires special packaging to prevent damage of thepellets in shipment. I have discovered uranium pellets and the like canbe shipped safely with the package of this invention. Broadly stated,the package comprises a strip of resilient polymeric material having onits inwardly facing surface a plurality of grooves positionedsubstantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strip. Eachof the grooves has a depth at least about the radius of the pellet and awidth at the surface of the strip about the diameter of the pellet. Aplurality of the pellets is positioned in the grooves and the strip withthe pellets is wound into a form of a convolution holding the pelletstherebetween and firmly with the sidewalls of the grooves which pinchagainst the pellets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying single sheet of drawingsshows in: FIG. 1 a perspective view of the strip partly in section andbefore it is wound into the package, and in FIG. 2 a cross section ofthe convolute package of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. I the packingstrip of this invention is preferably constructed from a rectangularresilient polymeric sheet which has a thickness greater than the radiusof the pellets and a substantially large length-to-width ratio, the longstrip having thereon a plurality of parallel grooves 11 which arepositioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strip 10. Thegrooves may be in any suitable form such as in the form of a rectangularslot as shown in FIG. 1. The grooves should have a depth about theradius of the pellet and a minimum width at the surface of the strip 10about the diameter of the pellet. Advantageously, the grooves shouldhave substantially vertical sidewalls which, as will be apparent fromsubsequent discussion, will hold onto the pellets firmly when the strip10 with the pellets I2 is rolled into a convolute package 13 as shown inFIG. 2.

The pellets 12 which are in the form of small cylinders are produced bycompacting fine uranium dioxide with a binder at high pressure andsubsequently sintering at high temperature and grinding to the desireddimensions. These pellets are placed end to end on the grooves asillustrated in FIG. 1.

When the strip 10 is filled with pellets, it is rolled to form theconvolute package of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2 the pellets areheld firmly between the two adjacent layers of the convolution and bythe sidewalls 14 of the grooves which, as the strip is rolled, tend topinch against the pellets. The resultant convolute package 13 is nowready for casing and shipment.

The packing strip preferably is constructed from a polymeric materialsuch as polyurethane foam. Other resident polymers such as polyethylenead polypropylene may also be used. The thickness of the strip depends toa certain extent on the physical characteristics of the polymer and tothe size of the pellet. Generally, the thickness of the strip should notexceed the diameter of the pellet.

I found that a package about 8 feet in diameter and 9 inches long willhold about 35 pounds of pellets without damage in shipment.

I claim:

1. A package of cylindrical uranium pellets which comprises a strip ofresilient polymeric material having on its inwardly facing surface aplurality of grooves sitioned substantially transversely to thelongitudinal axis 0 the strip, each of said grooves having a depth atleast about the radius of the pellet and a width at the surface of thestrip about the diameter of the pellet, and a plurality of said pelletspositioned within said grooves, said strip with the pellets being in theform of a convolution holding the pellets between adjacent layersthereof, and the transverse movement of the pellets being limited by thesidewalls of the grooves pinched against the pellets.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the grooves have substantiallyvertical sidewalls before the strip is formed into a convolute package.

3. A package according to claim 2 wherein the strip is made ofpolyurethane.

4. A packing strip suitable for packing fragile elongated cylindricalobjects which comprises a strip of resilient polymeric material having athickness greater than the radius of the elongated object and asubstantially large length-towidth ratio, said strip having on one ofits surfaces a plurality of parallel grooves of uniform dimensionspositioned substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of thestrip, each of the grooves having a depth of at least the radius of saidobject and a width at the surface of said strip about the diameter ofsaid object, a plurality of objects being positioned in said grooves,said strip with said elongated objects being wound into a convolutepackage with the grooves facing inwardly, the elongated objects beingfirmly held by adjacent layers of the convolution and by the sidewallsof the grooves pinched against said elongated objects.

5. A packing strip according to claim 4 which is made of polyurethane.

@ 3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. I 3,631,973 7 Dated January 4, 1972 n -(25) James A, Rode Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title, delete "Ground" and substitute in place thereof --Grooved--Signed and sealed this 30th day of May 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of. Patents EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR.Attesting Officer

1. A package of cylindrical uranium pellets which comprises a strip ofresilient polymeric material having on its inwardly facing surface aplurality of grooves positioned substantially transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the strip, each of said grooves having a depth atleast about the radius of the pellet and a width at the surface of thestrip about the diameter of the pellet, and a plurality of said pelletspositioned within said grooves, said strip with the pellets being in theform of a convolution holding the pellets between adjacent layersthereof, and the transverse movement of the pellets being limited by thesidewalls of the grooves pinched against the pellets.
 2. A packageaccording to claim 1 wherein the grooves have substantially verticalsidewalls before the strip is formed into a convolute package.
 3. Apackage according to claim 2 wherein the strip is made of polyurethane.4. A packing strip suitable for packing fragile elongated cylindricalobjects which comprises a strip of resilient polymeric material having athickness greater than the radius of the elongated object and asubstantially large length-to-width ratio, said strip having on one ofits surfaces a plurality of parallel grooves of uniform dimensionspositioned substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of thestrip, each of the grooves having a depth of at least the radius of saidobject and a width at the surface of said strip about the diameter ofsaid object, a plurality of objects being positioned in said grooves,said strip with said elongated objects being wound into a convolutepackage with the grooves facing inwardly, the elongated objects beingfirmly held by adjacent layers of the convolution and by the sidewallsof the grooves pinched against said elongated objects.
 5. A packingstrip according to claim 4 which is made of polyurethane.